KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1979 Population: 101,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$2,030 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 122 Geography Area: 811 sq km Coastline: 1,140 km Capital: Tarawa Kiribati (pronounced ‘Kirabas’) spreads across the central Pacific, intersected by the equator and formerly the International Date Line, with most other Commonwealth Pacific island countries lying to its south. Its 33 islands are scattered across 5.2 million sq km of ocean. There are three groups of islands: 17 Gilbert Islands (including Banaba), eight Line Islands and eight Phoenix Islands. The north/south extent is 2,050 km. Kiritimati (formerly Christmas Island) is the world’s biggest coral atoll (388 sq km). Kiritimati in the east is about 3,780 km from Banaba (formerly Ocean Island) in the west. Constitution Status: Republic with executive President Legislature: Maneaba ni Maungatabu Independence: 12 July 1979 Under the independence constitution of 1979, Kiribati became a sovereign and democratic republic with a unicameral legislature, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu. The President (Beretitenti, pronounced ‘Beresitence’) is both Head of State and Head of Government, and is elected nationally, from nominations (from among its own members) made by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu. The cabinet consists of the President, the Vice-President (Kauoman-ni-Maungatabu), the Attorney-General (who is the government’s principal legal adviser) and up to eight other ministers. These ministers are appointed by the President from the members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu. The legislature has 44 members elected for four years by universal adult suffrage, plus one ex officio member (the Attorney-General) and one nominated member from the Banaban community in Rabi, Fiji, who have a right to Commonwealth Governance 190 Handbook 2013/14 enter and live on Banaba, and have their own Banaba Island Council. Individual rights and freedoms are guaranteed under the constitution. In the event of dissolution of the legislature on a vote of no confidence, the constitution provides for an interim council of state, composed of the chief justice, the speaker and the chairman of the Public Service Commission. Judicial system Supreme court: High Court of Kiribati Ministry: Office of the Attorney-General The most serious civil and criminal cases come before the High Court and appeals from the High Court are heard by the Court of Appeal. Less serious civil, criminal and land cases are heard by magistrates in more than 20 magistrates’ courts. Normally cases come before one presiding magistrate and two others, and land cases before one presiding and four others. Appeals from the lower courts are heard by the High Court. The Land Division of the High Court deals with appeals relating to land, divorce and inheritance. The President of the republic is responsible for all judicial appointments. Government and politics Last elections: October 2011 (legislative), January 2012 (presidential) Next elections: 2015/2016 (legislative and presidential) Head of State: President Anote Tong Head of Government: the President Ruling party: Boutokaan Te Koaua Kiribati
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